Name: Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta – Easy Creamy Chicken Pasta Recipes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Ingredients: 8 oz pasta (penne or fusilli work great); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 cup cooked chicken, shredded (leftover rotisserie works perfectly); 1/2 cup chicken broth; 1 cup whole milk ricotta cheese; 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish)

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Some nights call for comfort, not chaos. And when the clock’s ticking and your belly’s rumbling, this creamy ricotta chicken pasta comes to the rescue. It’s rich without being too heavy, cozy without putting you in a food coma. If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken in your fridge, even better — dinner’s halfway done. We’ve all been there: opening the fridge, hoping dinner jumps out at us. This dish? It’s that dinner. Packed with simple ingredients, a velvety ricotta-based sauce, and pasta that hugs every drop, it’s like a hug in a bowl. I like mine with a good handful of black pepper and a generous sprinkle of parmesan — because why not? This easy creamy chicken pasta recipe has become my go-to on nights when I want something warm and satisfying without standing at the stove all night. Whether you’re cooking for two or feeding a small crowd, it’s the kind of recipe that turns basic pantry staples into something that feels a little special.

1) Key Takeaways
2) Easy Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe
3) Ingredients for Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta
4) How to Make Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta
5) Tips for Making Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta
6) Making Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time
7) Storing Leftover Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta
8) Try these Chicken Recipes next!
9) Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta
10) Nutrition

1) Key Takeaways

This creamy ricotta chicken pasta is a lifesaver for weeknights
Perfect for leftover rotisserie chicken
30-minute recipe with minimal prep
Velvety ricotta sauce makes it unforgettable

2) Easy Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Recipe

On the nights when cooking feels like a chore, this easy creamy chicken pasta recipe brings dinner to the table without fuss. It leans on pantry basics and uses shredded rotisserie chicken to cut your prep time in half. Just the smell of garlic warming in olive oil pulls you in. Before you know it, you’re stirring creamy ricotta into a pan, feeling like you’ve done something amazing, even though it only took 30 minutes.

The sauce, thick with ricotta and parmesan, wraps around pasta like it was made for each other. It’s cozy food without the nap afterward. When I first tried this combination, it felt like a hug after a long day. That’s what this dish brings. Comfort, speed, and flavor, all in one.

It’s no surprise this dish sits high on my list of go-tos. The best part? You can toss in leftover greens or an extra handful of parmesan without breaking any rules. That’s the beauty of easy creamy chicken pasta recipes like this one.

3) Ingredients for Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta

Pasta – Go with penne, fusilli, or anything with ridges. They help catch the sauce, and no one wants a bland noodle.

Olive oil – Just a couple of spoonfuls to warm the garlic and get that base flavor going.

Garlic – Three cloves, minced. The moment it hits the pan, it smells like dinner’s on the way.

Cooked chicken – Shredded leftover rotisserie chicken is perfect here. Saves time and adds loads of flavor.

Chicken broth – Half a cup. It pulls everything together and adds a little depth.

Ricotta cheese – The star of the show. One cup of whole milk ricotta gives the sauce that creamy texture we’re after.

Parmesan cheese – Half a cup, grated. It adds that nutty sharpness that pairs perfectly with ricotta.

Salt and black pepper – Just a pinch of each. Taste and adjust as you go.

Fresh parsley or basil – For garnish. It makes the plate pop and adds freshness right at the end.

4) How to Make Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta

Step 1. Boil the pasta in salted water until al dente. Drain it and set it aside, but don’t rinse it. You want that starch to help the sauce cling.

Step 2. Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium. Add garlic and stir for about a minute until it smells good but doesn’t brown.

Step 3. Add the chicken and broth to the skillet. Stir it gently and let it warm up for a few minutes.

Step 4. Lower the heat. Stir in the ricotta, then the parmesan. Keep stirring until it’s creamy and smooth.

Step 5. Toss the pasta in. Stir until it’s fully coated. Watch how the sauce wraps around every bit.

Step 6. Finish with chopped parsley or basil. Add more black pepper if you like a little bite.

5) Tips for Making Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta

Let the pasta sit after cooking instead of rinsing it. That starch helps the sauce stick better. It makes a big difference in a dish like this where the sauce is rich but delicate.

Use room temperature ricotta. Cold ricotta can clump up in the pan. Let it sit out while the pasta cooks. You’ll get a much smoother sauce that way.

Don’t overdo the salt. Parmesan adds saltiness already, so taste first before adding more. I’ve learned this the hard way on a few too many occasions.

6) Making Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta Ahead of Time

You can make this ahead, especially if your evenings are chaotic like mine. Cook the pasta and make the sauce separately. Store them in the fridge, then combine when ready to serve.

If you mix it all ahead, the pasta might soak up too much sauce. So hold back a splash of broth to loosen it back up when you reheat it.

This is one of those easy creamy chicken pasta recipes that handles leftovers like a champ. Just be kind to it when reheating — low heat is best.

7) Storing Leftover Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta

Store any leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge. It’ll keep for three to four days. Just reheat it gently with a bit of broth or water to bring it back to life.

I usually warm mine on the stove instead of the microwave. It helps the sauce stay creamy. If it thickens too much, a spoonful of ricotta stirred in can help.

You can even toss in a handful of spinach or peas when reheating to switch things up a bit.

8) Try these Chicken Recipes next!

9) Creamy Ricotta Chicken Pasta